Wales suffered a 12th consecutive Test match loss to pile more pressure on head coach Warren Gatland on Saturday night as they were defeated 45-12 by world champions South Africa at the Principality Stadium.
This marks the first time since 1937 that Wales has gone an entire year without a Test win, leading many to speculate that Gatland’s position is precarious.
Despite not being at their peak, South Africa didn’t need to be, scoring seven tries courtesy of Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Elrigh Louw, Jordan Hendrikse and Gerhard Steenekamp, with Hendrikse also kicking five conversions.
Wales managed consolation scores from Rio Dyer and James Botham, with Ben Thomas adding one conversion, but the game was over in the opening quarter after South Africa posted three tries.
The future of Gatland, who has lost 18 of 24 Tests since his return for a second term as head coach, is now a topic of intense debate, especially with a challenging Six Nations opener against France in Paris looming on January 31.
Regardless of what happens next, this is undoubtedly the lowest point in Wales’ 143-year international rugby history, with no sign of improvement in sight.
Last-minute changes saw Tom Rogers ruled out due to a calf muscle injury and Gareth Thomas missing through illness, replaced by Gloucester back Josh Hathaway and Nicky Smith respectively.
South Africa wasted no time in the Rugby match, scoring within the first six minutes thanks to a powerful run by captain Siya Kolisi and a sprint finish from Mostert, with Hendrikse securing the conversion.
Etzebeth, Mostert’s second-row partner, followed up with another try after excellent teamwork with Arendse.
Wales were already on the back foot as fly-half Sam Costelow was taken off for a head injury assessment. Ben Thomas stepped into the number 10 role, with Eddie James coming on, but South Africa continued their dominance with a third try in the opening quarter after Arendse scored and Hendrikse converted.
Despite Costelow returning to the field and Wales gaining some possession, South Africa remained in control. After two near misses and a disallowed try for Kolisi due to a knock-on by Jaden Hendrikse, the Springboks secured their fourth try through Louw.
Jordan Hendrikse’s conversion brought the score to 26-0. However, Wales managed to get on the scoreboard before half-time with a strong finish from Dyer on his first appearance of the autumn campaign, bringing the score to 26-5 at the break.
Costelow was absent from the second half, replaced by James, and Gloucester forward Freddie Thomas made his Test debut off the bench, taking over from Taine Plumtree in the back-row.
South Africa extended their lead 14 minutes into the second half, with Arendse’s nimble footwork creating an opening for Fassi to score.
Steenekamp, a replacement prop, scored South Africa’s sixth try, which was converted by Jordan Hendrikse. With 17 minutes remaining, Wales were left to endure further torment.
Jordan Hendrikse added a final try, which he also converted, allowing Wales to retreat to the changing room after Botham’s late effort.